Report: Man City open the door to €15m midfielder exit | OneFootball

Mateo Kovačić Transfer: Man City Ready to Make Ruthless Midfield Call

Manchester City appear prepared to listen to offers for Mateo Kovačić, with Sports Boom reporting that the Croatian midfielder has reached a decisive stage in his Etihad career.

Signed from Chelsea in 2023 to help offset the loss of İlkay Gündoğan, Kovačić arrived with pedigree, control and Champions League experience. Yet the picture has shifted. Sports Boom describe him as Manchester City’s “elegant but unlucky” midfield figure, a phrase that neatly captures both his technical class and the frustration of his availability.

Injuries Force City into Transfer Thinking

Kovačić’s 2025/26 campaign has been heavily disrupted. Sports Boom report that he underwent wrist surgery in November, while recurring Achilles issues have affected his rhythm and reliability.

That matters at City. Guardiola’s midfield demands constant sharpness, repeat running and positional precision. A player can have all the quality in possession, but if the body cannot consistently meet the tempo, difficult conversations follow.

As the report notes, Kovačić has remained important on “Pep Guardiola’s tactical board”, yet City are now weighing that value against age, wages and future squad planning.

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Asking Price Opens Door for European Interest

Sports Boom claim City would now view offers worth around €15–20 million as enough to sanction a sale. Given they paid close to €30 million three years ago, that would represent a pragmatic acceptance of his reduced market position.

AC Milan are said to be interested, with the report stating: “The Milan board is ready to place Kovačić at the heart of their project.” Inter Milan are also monitoring the situation, particularly if Hakan Çalhanoğlu departs, with Kovačić viewed as a possible “Plan B” return.

There is logic to both Italian options. Serie A could suit his intelligence, press resistance and ability to dictate tempo without the same relentless physical demands of the Premier League.

Saudi and Turkish Interest Adds Market Pressure

Saudi clubs Al-Nassr and Al-Ahli are also credited with interest, with Sports Boom reporting that both are prepared to offer wages “far exceeding Premier League standards.”

Fenerbahçe and Beşiktaş are also in the frame, although the reported demand for a detailed medical report underlines the central concern around any deal. Kovačić’s quality is not in question. His durability now is.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

As a Manchester City fan, this feels like one of those cold but necessary decisions that elite clubs make before emotion clouds judgement.

Kovačić has been a fine footballer for City. He brings calmness, carries the ball beautifully and rarely looks rushed, even in the most congested midfield zones. There have been games where his ability to glide away from pressure has looked tailor made for Guardiola’s football.

But City cannot stand still. If the injuries are becoming chronic, and if Guardiola wants to refresh the squad with younger legs, then selling now makes sense. The club have already shown they are willing to move on from decorated players at the right moment.

The €15–20 million figure may feel modest, but it would remove wages, create room in the squad and help fund the next phase. City supporters will respect what Kovačić has offered, but they will also understand the logic. Sentiment wins moments. Recruitment wins eras.